Key House Republican balks at Patriot Act

By JESSE J. HOLLAND
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

WASHINGTON -- House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner threatened Thursday to block passage of legislation renewing the anti-terror Patriot Act, Republican officials disclosed.

The Senate passed a six-month extension Wednesday night, and House approval is required by Dec. 31 to keep in place the enhanced law enforcement powers first enacted in the wake of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Sensenbrenner's spokesman declined comment.

The Senate action effectively sidetracked a comprehensive House-Senate compromise that would have extended most of the existing law indefinitely, making several changes in the meantime. It was blocked by a Democrat-led filibuster in the Senate, in which critics claimed the legislation failed to protect the civil liberties of innocent Americans.

The maneuvering occurred as Bush left Washington believing that Congress would not let the law expire.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1153AP_Patriot_Act.html

I thought *asshat was going to veto any temporary extension because he wanted it all.

And what's up with Sensenbrenner? Didn't this pass the House easily?

What the hell is my republican rep. up to? Pissy cause he didn't get to make it permanent?

Typical of the all or nothing game these guys are playing.

Remember every day is opposite day with the Neocons.

I'm not sure I've heard one thing that points to the PA as the cause of some success.

The one thing I am sure of is that had something happened that could have caused glowing remarks from the PA's supporters, we would have been inundated with testaments of praise.

MANY TIMES that they have never used the "library search" section, so why are people so upset about it. I'd like to know specific instances where authorities granted by any part of this PA have actually been used and what were the results.

Who put in a request for Mao's "Little Red Book" for a paper for college course on communism and tyranny, only to have 2 agents from homeland security visit him at his parents house.

but the sad thing is we will never know, since the Patriot Act forbids anyone from discussing these actions, even with an attorney.

library search. That's one of the problems with the PA. Too much secrecy on the governments side.

As a librarian, I can assure you that the rebooblicans have been after libraries for decades. You have to remember it is the rightwing nuts that annually request that we "burn" certain books they object to having on the shelves. We've been called Communists(coming at us from their NAZI high horses)and the ALA (American Library Association) has had to repeatedly go to court to block federal government actions BEFORE the Patriot Act. After that "act", the libraries have had to pretty much back off from the oath taken as part of the profession to protect our readers' privacy. Now in my public library (I don't work there, just utilize it), to use a computer terminal you MUST have a library card and must log in using a number that identifies you, so your use can be tracked if needed. This new RESTRICTION came just at a time when our public library computers were being heavily used by Katrina victims. This was a complete disservice to them. I don't personally visit sites that I believe are seditious ... but who is to say when and where ANY site we visit while at the library could be called "unAmerican" and we then hear that knock on the door in the middle of the night ... or is it those black helicopters overhead? There are plenty of researchers in our communities that NEED to view and review sites that are questionable to some people, as Americans it should be their right to do so. Believe me ... we are far down the slippery slope ALREADY, we may never regain footing.

Patriot Act also prevents elephant stampedes!

Actually, as there were terror attacks after 9/11 in the US, it ONLY prevents elephant stampedes.

when it has not demonstrably done a thing to fight terror?

Call it what it is: "Anti-Civil Rights" bill.

Just freaking Big Brother is all it is...

Who's * going to blame it on now?

chortle

Sensennbrenner has also proposed making indecent speech a criminal offense; as I recall he's suggested prison time for Howard Stern. I have no doubt that he's opposed to renewing the Patriot Act because it isn't strong enough to suit his authoritarian tastes.

and W did say he would veto any extension. It might be that Sensenbrenner wants to play chicken with this legislation and carry water for the Administration at the same time. If he can prevent the extension from passing he can save the president from being in a catch-22. Should be interesting.

jacking off a dead man.

wants to block extension of the Patriot Act, so be it!

Senslessbrenner is a total and complete embarrassment to the state of Wisconsin. Calling him an asshat is a grave insult to all anal skullcaps.

When the President does whatever the hell he wants anyway, no matter how many laws he violates?

n/t

http://talkleft.com/new_archives/010719.html

And isn't he the one that also submitted a Bill proposal effectively eliminating Presidential term limits?

Uh-huh..

http://www.mapcruzin.com/news/bush050703a.htm

Welcome to DU!! :toast: